Short readings by Pastor Bill Bull that are encouraging, inspiring as well as challenging.

THE DIARY

The wreckage of the B-24 bomber, bearing the name “Lady Be Good” on its nose, had been located by an oil prospecting team more than 17 years after it had disappeared in April 1943. The plane and its nine-man crew had been on a mission to bomb enemy positions at Naples, Italy and were returning to their base in Libya. The wreckage was found deep in the inhospitable, harsh and desolate environment of the desert, far from any human habitation far south of the air base. Then, nearly a year later, another oil research team came upon the remains of five members of the crew. A diary found by the body of one of the crew members helped tell part of the story, including the fact they had become lost in the darkness upon returning from their mission to Italy. The plane had run out of gas and the crew had parachuted into the darkness at 2 AM…..

The first entry in the diary included the words, “ . . . . No one badly hurt. Can’t find John. All others present.”

The second day of the diary contained the following, "Started walking northwest. A few rations and 1/2 canteen of water, 1 cap full per day. Sun fairly warm, night very cold. No sleep. Rested and walked."

The third day read, "Rested at 11:30. Sun very warm, no breeze . . . no planes, etc., rested until 5:00 PM. walked and rested all night. 15 minutes on, 5 off."

On day four the author noted, "Same routine, everyone getting weak, can’t get very far, prayers all the time."

The following day: "Hit sand dunes, very miserable. Good wind but continuous blowing of sand, everyone now very weak."

On the Sixth day the writer noted that three of the crew ". . separated and try to go for help, rest of us all very weak, eyes bad….all want to die. Still very little water. . . . . Nites are about 35 degrees. …no shelter….”

That statement on Day Six really got my attention: “…all want to die.”

These men were in such desperate condition, so discouraged, so emaciated physically and suffering so terribly that they had reached the point where death seemed better than life. They appeared to have reached the point where they had lost hope of rescue and were simply hoping the end would come quickly.

A person doesn’t have to be in such dire conditions as these flight crew members found themselves in to be at a point of utter hopelessness. Someone reading this may have been at such a point in their lives at one time, or may find themselves at such a place in the future. And there could be someone there right now. Let me assure you that, no matter how terrible the situation we may find ourselves in, there is always Jesus. Always! We may not understand why we have to experience whatever it is that we are going through, but we can hang onto Jesus; he will never leave us nor forsake us. Never!

There is a song titled, “When Answers Aren’t Enough” that was written by Scott Wesley Brown a number of years ago. Look at these words:

You have faced the mountains of desperation

You have climbed, you have fought, you have won

But this valley that lies coldly before you

Casts a shadow you cannot overcome

And just when you thought you had it all together

You knew every verse to get you through

But this time the sorrow broke more than just your heart

And reciting all those verses just won’t do.

Chorus:

When answers aren’t enough, there is Jesus

He is more than just an answer to your prayer

And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge

When answers aren’t enough, He is there

Instead of asking why did it happen

Think of where it can lead you from here

And as your pain is slowly easing, you can find a greater reason

To live your life triumphant through the tears.

Chorus:

When answers aren’t enough, there is Jesus

He is more than just an answer to your prayer

And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge

When answers aren’t enough, He is there.

You and I will not have the answer to all our questions this side of Heaven, but you can trust in God for every moment of your future, if you have placed your life in His hands.

Psalm 66:9 reminds us: “Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.”

Prayer: Father, thank that, no matter what I am facing or what I am going through, I can trust in you, for my life is in your hands. Don’t ever let me forget that, Father. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Pastor Bill

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.